Power consumption management based on receiver parameter and method for use therewith

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit (IC) includes an RF receiver having an AGC module that generates an automatic gain control (AGC) signal based on a strength of a received signal, and a low noise amplifier that amplifies the received signal based on the AGC signal. A processing module generates a power mode signal based on the AGC signal, the power mode signal for adjusting a power consumption parameter of the IC based on the power mode signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as acontinuation of the co-pending application entitled, POWER CONSUMPTIONMANAGEMENT BASED ON RECEIVER PARAMETER AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH,having Ser. No. 11/848,527, filed on Aug. 31, 2007.

The present application is also related to the following copendingapplications:

TRANSMIT POWER MANAGEMENT BASED ON RECEIVER PARAMETER AND METHOD FOR USETHEREWITH, having Ser. No. 11/847,533, filed on Aug. 30, 2007 (DocketNo. BP6612);

POWER CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT BASED ON TRANSMIT POWER CONTROL DATA ANDMETHOD FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. 11/849,424, filed on Sep. 4,2007 (Docket No. BP6614);

MULTI-INPUT MULTI-OUTPUT TRANSCEIVER WITH POWER CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENTBASED ON RECEIVER PARAMETER AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser.No. 11/850,114, filed on Sep. 5, 2007 (Docket No. BP6616); and

MULTI-INPUT MULTI-OUTPUT TRANSCEIVER WITH TRANSMIT POWER MANAGEMENTBASED ON RECEIVER PARAMETER AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser.No. 11/850,808, filed on Sep. 6, 2007 (Docket No. BP6617).

The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices andmore particularly to a circuit for managing power in an RF integratedcircuit.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of productsincluding, but certainly not limited to, portable electronic devices,computers, computer networking equipment, home entertainment, automotivecontrols and features, and home appliances. As is also known, integratedcircuits include a plurality of circuits in a very small space toperform one or more fixed or programmable functions.

Power management can be an important consideration for electronicdevices, particularly for mobile devices that operate from batterypower. Lowering the power consumption of a device can increase batterylife, or conversely, can potentially decrease the size of the batterythat is required, with a corresponding decrease in weight and size.

The advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilledin the art when presented with the disclosure herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF front endin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a poweramplifier in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another poweramplifier in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and/or non-real-time data 26wirelessly with one or more other devices such as base station 18,non-real-time device 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/orreal-time device 24. In addition, communication device 10 can alsooptionally communicate over a wireline connection with non-real-timedevice 12, real-time device 14, non-real-time and/or real-time device16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as a combined voice, data and RFintegrated circuit that includes one or more features or functions ofthe present invention. Such integrated circuits shall be described ingreater detail in association with FIGS. 3-27 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RFintegrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device10 in conjunction with microphone 60, keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54,speaker 62, display 56, camera 76, antenna interface 52 and wirelineport 64. In addition, RF IC 50 includes a transceiver 73 with RF andbaseband modules for formatting and modulating data into RF real-timedata 26 and non-real-time data 24 and transmitting this data via anantenna interface 72 and an antenna. Further, RF IC 50 includes aninput/output module 71 with appropriate encoders and decoders forcommunicating via the wireline connection 28 via wireline port 64, anoptional memory interface for communicating with off-chip memory 54, acodec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 into digital voicesignals, a keypad/keyboard interface for generating data fromkeypad/keyboard 58 in response to the actions of a user, a displaydriver for driving display 56, such as by rendering a color videosignal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driver suchas an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other componentsof communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Off-chip power management circuit 95can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip power managementmodule can selectively supply power supply signals of differentvoltages, currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages,currents or current limits in response to power mode signals receivedfrom the RF IC 50. RF IC 50 optionally includes an on-chip powermanagement circuit 95′ for replacing the off-chip power managementcircuit 95.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 50 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes at least one processing device.Such a processing device, for instance, processing module 225, may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the processing module 225 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the RF IC 50 executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication devices 10 and 30 as discussed inconjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, RF IC 50 includes powermanagement features in accordance with the present invention that willbe discussed in greater detail in association with FIGS. 5-27.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 4 presents a communication device 30 that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 3 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. RF IC 70 is similar to RF IC 50 and is capable of any of theapplications, functions and features attributed to RF IC 50 as discussedin conjunction with FIG. 3. However, RF IC 70 includes two separatewireless transceivers 73 and 75 for communicating, contemporaneously,via two or more wireless communication protocols via RF data 40 and RFvoice signals 42.

In operation, the RF IC 70 executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication device 10 as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. Further, RF IC 70 includes power management features inaccordance with the present invention that will be discussed in greaterdetail in association with FIGS. 5-27.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125, such astransceiver 73 or 75, which may be incorporated in communication devices10 and/or 30. The RF transceiver 125 includes an RF transmitter 129, anRF receiver 127 that operate in accordance with a wireless local areanetwork protocol, a pico area network protocol, a wireless telephonyprotocol, a wireless data protocol, or other protocol. The RF receiver127 includes a RF front end 140, a down conversion module 142, and areceiver processing module 144. The RF transmitter 129 includes atransmitter processing module 146, an up conversion module 148, and aradio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an off-chip antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177,that couples the transmit signal 155 to the antenna to produce outboundRF signal 170 and couples inbound RF signal 152 to produce receivedsignal 153. While a single antenna is represented, the receiver andtransmitter may each employ separate antennas or share a multipleantenna structure that includes two or more antennas. In anotherembodiment, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple inputmultiple output (MIMO) antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each antenna may be fixed, programmable, an antenna array orother antenna configuration. Accordingly, the antenna structure of thewireless transceiver will depend on the particular standard(s) to whichthe wireless transceiver is compliant and the applications thereof.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from a hostdevice or other source via the transmitter processing module 146. Thetransmitter processing module 146 processes the outbound data 162 inaccordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce baseband orlow intermediate frequency (IF) transmit (TX) signals 164. The basebandor low IF TX signals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have azero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will bein a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Notethat the processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146includes, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing,mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion. Furthernote that the transmitter processing module 146 may be implemented usinga shared processing device, individual processing devices, or aplurality of processing devices and may further include memory. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory may be a single memory device or a plurality ofmemory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digitalinformation. Note that when the processing module 146 implements one ormore of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the correspondingoperational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising thestate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation 168.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna andoff-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to process the inbound RFsignal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. Ingeneral, antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna tothe RF front-end 140 and optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RFsignal 152.

The down conversion module 70 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation 158, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADCmodule converts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digitalbaseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high passand/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to producea baseband or low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADCmodule and filtering and/or gain module may be switched, such that thefiltering and/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 can include, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling. Note that the receiverprocessing modules 144 may be implemented using a shared processingdevice, individual processing devices, or a plurality of processingdevices and may further include memory. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the receiver processing module 144 implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, processing module 225 generates a transmit power controlsignal 169 based on an AGC signal 141 from receiver front-end 140. RFtransmitter 129, in turn, generates a transmit signal 155 having aselected power level, wherein the selected power level is based on thetransmit power control signal 169. If, for instance, RF transceiver 125is communicating with an external device and is receiving an inbound RFsignal 152 with high signal strength, the strength of received signal153 will generate an AGC signal 141 that controls the gain of the RFfront-end lower and that can be used by processing module 255, viatransmit power control signal 169, to select a lower power level fortransmit signal 155. This can conserve power and possibly battery life,when the device that incorporates RF transceiver 125 is a mobilecommunication device, and can help reduce interference for otherstations in range of RF transceiver 125 that may be communicating withthe same access point or base station or that may otherwise be using thesame spectrum.

Similarly, if for instance, RF transceiver 125 is communicating with anexternal device and is receiving an inbound RF signal 152 with lowsignal strength, the strength of received signal 153 will generate anAGC signal 141 that controls the gain of the RF front-end higher andthat can be used by processing module 255, via transmit power controlsignal 169, to select a higher power level for transmit signal 155. Thiscan help outbound RF signal 170 reach an external device that may bedistant, or that has an obstructed communication path to RF transceiver125.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing module 225adjusts the transmit power control signal 169 based on the AGC signal141. For instance, the processing module 225 can include hardware,firmware or software that, via a look-up table or algorithm, generates atransmit power control signal 169 corresponding to a desired power levelbased on the value of the AGC signal 141. In particular, RF transmitter129 may be capable of operating at one of a plurality of power levels(such as low, medium, high or a greater number of levels), and theprocessing module 225 can generate the transmit power control signal bycomparing the AGC signal to a corresponding plurality of thresholds tocontrol the transmit power in accordance with the received signalstrength.

In addition, the processing module 225 can include a filter or use otherfiltration to generate a filtered AGC signal and to adjust the transmitpower control signal 169 in response to the filtered AGC signal. In thissituation, the transmit power can be controlled to adjust to slowerchanges in the AGC signal to avoid rapid fluctuations in the receivedsignal.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF front endin accordance with the present invention. In particular, RF front end140 includes an AGC module 336 that generates an automatic gain control(AGC) signal 141 based on a strength of the received signal 153 and alow noise amplifier 330, coupled to the AGC module, that amplifies thereceived signal 153 based on the AGC signal 141 to produce an amplifiedreceived signal such as desired RF signal 154. It should be noted thatAGC module 336 operates by responding to the signal strength, energy orpower in the received signal to control the gain of the low noiseamplifier 330 to a level that amplifies the signal, but avoids clippingor saturation of the low noise amplifier 330. AGC signal 141 can be ananalog signal, a discrete time signal or a digital signal that is usedby processing module 225 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, radio transmitter front-end 150 is shown that includes apower amplifier 180 that produces transmit signal 155 from up-convertedsignal 166. In an embodiment of the present invention, power amplifier180 includes at least one adjustable gain amplifier having a transmitgain that is based on the transmit power control signal 169. In thisfashion, the power level of transmit signal 155 can be selected oradjusted to a desired level, based on the transmit power control signal169. In a particular implementation, power amplifier 180 can operate atone of a plurality of power levels as selected by transmit power controlsignal 169. Further, power supply signals 192, can either be static oradjustable to one of a plurality of power modes to supply the necessarypower to power amplifier 180 based on the selected power level.

For example, power amplifier 180 can operate in a plurality of powerlevels such as in a low, medium and high or to a greater number oflevels. The supply voltage or current limit of power supply signals 192can be modified by the power management circuit 95 or 95′ and/oradditional power supply signals 192 can be supplied, based on theselected mode of operation. A high current limit and/or high voltage cancorrespond to a high power mode. A medium current limit and/or mediumsupply voltage can correspond to the medium power mode. Further, a lowcurrent limit and/or low supply voltage can correspond to the low powermode.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a poweramplifier in accordance with the present invention. In this embodimentpower amplifier 180 is implemented with a plurality of separate poweramplifier stages 182, 184, 186, etc. These series configured poweramplifier stages are powered separately by power supply signals 192 thatmay have different supply voltage and/or current limits. A switchingnetwork 190 couples the transmit signal 155 from the power amplifiers182, 184, 186, etc. in response to the transmit power control signal169.

In a low power mode, power supply signals 192 supply power to only poweramplifier 182 designed for low power operation) and not to poweramplifiers 184 and 186, etc. The switching network 190 couples theoutput 183 of power amplifier 182 as the transmit signal 155. Thisreduces power consumption of the circuit in this low power mode. In amedium power mode, the output 183 of power amplifier 182 is amplifiedagain by power amplifier 184 to produce output 185 that is coupled byswitching network 190 as transmit signal 155. In this medium power mode,only power amplifiers 182 and 184 are fed power supply signals 192 fromthe power management circuit 95 or 95′ with the other power amplifiersleft unpowered. As can be seen, additional power modes can power more orall of the power amplifier stages to supply greater output power. Onlythose output stages in use are powered by power supply signals 192 inorder to conserve power.

FIG. 9 is schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another poweramplifier in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment,a parallel configuration of power amplifiers 182, 184 and 186 arepresented, each corresponding to a separate power level. For instance,power amplifier 182 can operate at a low power range of −50 to −15 db,power amplifier 184 can operate at a medium power range of −15 to +10 dband power amplifier 186 can operate at a high power range of +10 to +28db. With each range corresponding to a separate power mode, theparticular power mode can be selected based on the desired power range.In operation, the corresponding power amplifier is supplied power by thecorresponding one of the power supply signals 192 (having acorresponding supply voltage and/or current limit) with its outputcoupled as transmit signal 155 by switching network 194. The other poweramplifiers can be left unpowered in order to conserve power.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular RFtransceiver 125, such as transceiver 73 or 75, is shown in a furtherembodiment that includes similar elements that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment, processing module 225 optionallygenerates transmit power control signal 169 but also generates powermode signal 165, based on the AGC signal 141, that can be used foradjusting a power consumption parameter of the RF IC 50 or 70, such as apower supply voltage or current used generally or a specific powersupply signal used in powering either the RF receiver 127 or the RFtransmitter 129.

For instance, a lower power mode can be selected for the RF transmitterbased 129 in the event that the AGC signal 141 indicates a strongreceived signal 153 from an external device corresponding to a desiredlower power consumption and a lower power level for transmit signal 155.In addition, to reducing the transmit power level, one or more powerconsumption parameters of the power supply signals can be adjusted inresponse to power mode signal 165. In an example, power supply signals192 can be adjusted by adding or removing a power supply signal, forinstance, as discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 8 and 9. Further powersupply signals 192 can be adjusting a power supply voltage or current tothe appropriate transmit power level.

In addition or in the alternative, power consumption parameters of theRF receiver, the processor or other modules of RF IC 50 or 70 can beadjusted in response to power mode signal 165. For example, a powersupply voltage or current used to power the RF receiver 127 can beadjusted based on the expected power consumption of the RF receiver 127determined from the AGC signal 141.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing module 225adjusts the power mode signal 165 based on the AGC signal 141. Forinstance, the processing module 225 can include hardware, firmware orsoftware that, via a look-up table or algorithm, generates a power modesignal 165 corresponding to a desired power consumption parameters,based on the value of the AGC signal 141.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, selected modules of RF IC 50 or 70 are shown that include RFtransceiver 125, processing module 225, memory module 230, and clocksignal generator 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, memorymodule 230 stores a least one application, such as application 232and/or application 234 that may include any of the applicationsdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, as well as other interfaceapplications, system utilities, or other programs executed by processingmodule 225 to perform the functions and features of communication device10 or 30. These applications are stored in memory module 230 and/or anoff-chip memory such as memory 54, as a plurality of operationalinstructions.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 receives the power mode signal 165as part of power mode signals 208 and generates a plurality of powersupply signals 204 to power off-chip modules and on-chip modules asthese modules are in use such as transmitter power supply signal 252 andreceiver supply signal 250. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 10,transmitter supply signal 252 and or receiver supply signal 250 can beadjusted based on the power mode signal 165 and the current power mode.For example, the various power modes of RF transmitter 129 can include alow, medium and high power ranges of power levels. Power mode signal165, included in power mode signals 208, can inform the off-chip powermanagement circuit of the selected power mode of the RF transmitter 129so that off-chip power management circuit 95 can supply the necessarypower supply signals 204 to meet the power demands of the selected modeof operation. This methodology allows power to be generated for the RFtransmitter and/or the transmitter, only as required to address thecurrent power mode in use.

Also, if communication device 10 or 30 is using certain peripheraldevices and/or certain interfaces or modules at a given time, off-chippower management circuit 95 can be commanded to supply only those powersupply signals 204 that are required based on the peripheral devices,interfaces and/or other modules that are in use. Further, if a USBdevice is coupled to wireline port 64, then a power mode command can besent to off-chip power management module 95 to generate a power supplysignal 204 that supplies a power supply voltage, (such as a 5 volt, 8milliamp supply voltage) to the wireline port 64 in order to power theUSB device or devices connected thereto. In another example, if thecommunication device 10 includes a mobile communication device thatoperates in accordance with a GSM or EDGE wireless protocol, theoff-chip power management circuit 95 can generate supply voltages forthe baseband and RF modules of the transceiver only when the transceiveris operating.

Further, peripheral devices, such as the camera 76, memory 54,keypad/keyboard 58, microphone 60, display 56, and speaker 62 can bepowered when these peripheral devices are attached (to the extent thatthey can be detached) and to the extent that these devices are currentlyin use by the application.

The power management features of the present invention operate based onthe processing module determining, for the current application beingexecuted with corresponding current use characteristics, the currentpower mode of a plurality of power modes. In particular, processingmodule 225 when executing the application, can select a current powermode based on current use characteristics of the application as well asthe AGC signal 141 and generate a power mode signal 208 based on theselected power modes. In an embodiment of the present invention,processing module 225 maintains a register that indicates for aplurality of modules, interfaces and/or peripheral devices either,whether that device is currently being used or a power flag, such aspower off, power on, high power, low power, medium power, etc, for thatparticular device, module and/or interface (when these devices arethemselves capable in operating in different power modes). In addition,processing module, via look-up table, calculation or other processingroutine, determines power mode 208 by determining the particular powersupply signals required to be generated based on the devices in use andoptionally their own power states.

The off-chip power management circuit 95 can be implemented as amulti-output programmable power supply, that receives the power modesignal 208 and generates and optionally routes the power supply signals204 to particular ports, pins or pads of RF IC 50 or 70 or directly toperipheral devices via a switch matrix, as commanded based on the powermode signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the power modesignal 208 is decoded by the off-chip power management module todetermine the particular power supply signals to be generated, andoptionally—their characteristics such as voltage, current and/or currentlimit. As shown, RF IC 50 or 70 optionally generates a clock signal 206via clock signal generator 202, or otherwise couples a clock signal 206generated off-chip to the off-chip power management circuit 95. Theoff-chip power management circuit 95 operates based on the clock signal206.

In an embodiment of the present invention, RF IC 50 or 70 couples thepower mode signal 208 to the off-chip power management circuit 95 viaone or more dedicated digital lines that comprise a parallel interface.Further, the RF IC 50 or 70 can couple the power mode signal 208 to theoff-chip power management circuit via a serial communication interfacesuch as an I²C interface, serial/deserializer (SERDES) interface orother serial interface.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Thisembodiment includes similar elements described in conjunction with FIG.11 that are referred to by common reference numerals. In particular,on-chip power management circuit 95′ includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 or 70, and optionally the othercomponents of communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices withsupply voltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) thatmay be required to power these devices. On-chip power management circuit95′ can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown. In particular, on-chip power management module95′ can selectively supply power supply signals of different voltages,currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages, currents orcurrent limits in response to power mode signals 208 received fromprocessing module 225. In this fashion, on-chip power management circuit95′operates as off-chip power management module 95, but on an on-chipbasis.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular RFtransceiver 125, such as transceiver 73 or 75, is shown in a furtherembodiment that includes similar elements that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment, processing module 225 generatestransmit power control signal 169 and generates power mode signal 165,in response to transmit power control data 143 received via inbound RFsignal 152 and received signal 153. In this fashion, an external devicesuch as a base station, access point or other remote station can providetransmit power control data 143 to the RF transceiver in response to theoperating environment of the RF transceiver, reception characteristics,etc.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Thisembodiment includes similar elements described in conjunction with FIG.11 that are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodimenthowever, power mode signals 208 include power mode signal 165 that isgenerated based on transmit power control data 143 received by receiver127 from an external device. For instance, should the external device,based on its reception of signals from RF transceiver 125 and/or fromother devices, determine that RF transceiver 125 should increase ordecrease its transmit power or to cease transmitting altogether, theexternal device can generate transmit power control data 143 that issent via inbound RF signal 152 to RF transceiver 125 as control data,payload data or other signaling. In response, RF transceiver 125receives and decodes the transmit power control data 143 and processingmodule 225 generates transmit power control signal 169 that is sent toRF transmitter front end 150 to adjust the transmit power level andpower mode signal 165 that is sent to the power management unit 95 or95′ to adjust the transmitter supply signal 252 in accordance with theparticular transmit power level that has been selected.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of powermanagement circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Thisembodiment includes similar elements described in conjunction with FIGS.12 and 14 that are referred to by common reference numerals. Inparticular, on-chip power management circuit 95′ includes one or moreDC-DC converters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 or 70, and optionally the othercomponents of communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices withsupply voltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) thatmay be required to power these devices. On-chip power management circuit95′ can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular, aMIMO configuration is shown for transceiver 73 or 75 that includesmultiple RF transceivers 350, such as RF transceiver 125, that transmitsoutbound data 162 via each transceiver 350 and that generates inbounddata 160 by combining inbound data from each of the transceivers 350 viamaximum ratio recombination or other processing technique. Eachtransceiver includes a RF transmitter, such as RF transmitter 129, andan RF receiver, such as RF receiver 127 that share a common antenna,that share a common antenna structure that includes multiple antennas orthat that employ separate antennas for the transmitter and receiver. Inthis configuration, processing module 225 generates transmit powercontrol signals 169, 169′, etc. and power mode signals 208 based on AGCsignals 141, 141′, etc. received from each of the transceivers 350.

In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module 225includes hardware, firmware or software to determine an AGC compositesignal and to generate the power mode signal 165 of power mode signals208 based on the AGC composite signal. For instance, the processingmodule 225 can compare the AGC signals 141, 141′, etc. from each of theplurality of transceivers 350 and determine a lowest gain AGC signalthat corresponds to a highest strength of the plurality of receivedsignals received by the transceivers 350. In this example, theprocessing module can generate the power mode signal 165 based on thelowest gain AGC signal. In other examples, the processing module cangenerate the AGC composite signal based on the mean, median or mode ofthe AGC signals 141, 141′ or via other combination or selection.Further, the processing module 225 can generate the transmit powercontrol signal 169, 169′, etc. to control the transmit power levels ofthe transceivers 350 to a single common value, based on the compositeAGC signal. In this fashion, each transceiver 350 transmits at the samepower level, and have the same power consumption parameters, based onthe highest gain received signal, or some averaging of the AGC signals141, 141′, etc.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing moduleselects transmit power levels and power consumption parameters for thetransceivers 350 independently, based on the individual AGC signal 141or 141′ of that particular transceiver. In other words, the independentvalues of the power level selected for the RF transmitter of each of theplurality of transceivers 350 are based on the AGC signal 141, 141′,etc. from the RF receivers from the same RF transceiver. For example, ifAGC signal 141 corresponds to a medium signal strength and AGC signal141′ corresponds to a high signal strength, transmit power controlsignal 169 can be chosen to correspond to a medium power level andtransmit power control signal 169′ can be chosen to correspond to a highpower level, with power mode signals 208 controlling the transmittersupply signals 252 individually to the transceivers 350 in a fashion tosupply the voltage and current necessary to operate at these two powerlevels.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an embodiment ofan integrated circuit package in accordance with the present invention.Voice data and RF IC 325, such as RF IC 50 or 70, includes a system on achip (SoC) die 300, a memory die 302 a substrate 306, bonding pads 308and power management unit (PMU) 308, such as on-chip power managementcircuit 95′. This figure is not drawn to scale, rather it is meant to bea pictorial representation that illustrates the juxtaposition of the SoCdie 300, memory die 302, PMU 304 and the bonding pads 308. Inparticular, the voice data and RF IC 325 is integrated in a package witha top and a bottom having a plurality of bonding pads 308 to connect thevoice data and RF IC 325 to a circuit board, and wherein the on-chippower management unit 325 is integrated along the bottom of the package.In an embodiment of the present invention, die 302 includes the memorymodule 230 and die 300 includes the processing module 225. These diesare stacked and die bonding is employed to connect these two circuitsand minimize the number of bonding pads, (balls) out to the package.Both SoC die 300 and memory die 302 are coupled to respective ones ofthe bonding pads 308 via bonding wires or other connections.

PMU 304 is coupled to the SoC die 300, and/or the memory die 302 viaconductive vias, bonding wires, bonding pads or by other connections.The positioning of the PMU on the bottom of the package in a flip chipconfiguration allows good heat dissipation of the PMU 304 to a circuitboard when the voice data and RF integrated circuit is installed.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an embodimentof an integrated circuit package in accordance with the presentinvention. As shown, the bonding pads (balls) 308 are arrayed in an areaof the bottom of the integrated circuit with an open center portion 310and wherein the on-chip power management unit (PMU 304) is integrated inthe open center portion. While a particular pattern and number ofbonding pads 308 are shown, a greater or lesser number of bonding padscan likewise be employed with alternative configurations within thebroad scope of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-18. In step 400, a received signal is receivedfrom an external device. In step 402, an automatic gain control (AGC)signal is generated based on a strength of the received signal. In step404, the received signal is amplified based on the AGC signal. In step406, a transmit power control signal is generated based on the AGCsignal. In step 408, a transmit signal is generated at a selected powerlevel, wherein the selected power level is based on the transmit powercontrol signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 406 can includecomparing the AGC signal to a plurality of thresholds. Step 408 caninclude adjusting a transmit gain of at least one adjustable gainamplifier based on the transmit power control signal, selecting at leastone of a plurality of series configured power amplifiers based on thetransmit power control signal or selecting at least one of a pluralityof parallel configured power amplifiers based on the transmit powercontrol signal and can operate in accordance with at least one of, awireless local area network protocol, a pico area network protocol, awireless telephony protocol, and a wireless data protocol. Step 400 canoperate in accordance with at least one of, a wireless local areanetwork protocol, a pico area network protocol, a wireless telephonyprotocol, and a wireless data protocol.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIG. 19. In step 410, the transmit power control signalis adjusted based on the AGC signal.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 19-20. In step 420, the AGC signal is filtered togenerate a filtered AGC signal. In step 422, the transmit power controlsignal is adjusted in response to the filtered AGC signal.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-21. In step 430, a received signal is receivedfrom an external device. In step 432, an automatic gain control (AGC)signal is generated based on a strength of the received signal. In step434, the received signal is amplified based on the AGC signal. In step436, a power mode signal is generated based on the AGC signal. In step438, a power consumption parameter of an IC is adjusted, based on thepower mode signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 438 can includegenerating a plurality of power supply signals based on the power modesignal, generating an additional transmitter power supply signal,generating a first transmitter power supply signal having a firstcurrent limit in response to a first value of the power mode signal, anda second transmitter power supply signal having a second current limitin response to a second value of the power mode signal and/or generatinga first transmitter power supply signal having a first supply voltage inresponse to a first value of the power mode signal, and a secondtransmitter power supply signal having a second supply voltage inresponse to a second value of the power mode signal. The powerconsumption parameter can include a power supply voltage and/or a powersupply current.

Step 436 can include comparing the AGC signal to a plurality ofthresholds and/or filtering the AGC signal to generate a filtered AGCsignal and adjusting the power mode signal in response to the filteredAGC signal.

Step 430 can selectively operate in accordance with at least two of, awireless local area network protocol, a pico area network protocol, awireless telephony protocol, and a wireless data protocol.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIG. 22. In step 440, a transmit signal is generated ina selected one of a plurality of operating ranges based on the powermode signal.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-23. In step 450, a transmit signal istransmitted at a selectable transmit power, based on a transmit powercontrol signal. In step 452, a received signal is received from anexternal device, the received signal including transmit power controldata. In step 454, the transmit power control signal is generated basedon the transmit power control data. In step 456 a power mode signal isgenerated based on the transmit power control data. In step 458, a powerconsumption parameter of at least one of, an RF receiver and an RFtransmitter, is generated based on the power mode signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention the power consumptionparameter includes a power supply voltage and/or power supply current.Step 458 can include generating a first transmitter power supply signalhaving a first current limit in response to a first value of the powermode signal, and a second transmitter power supply signal having asecond current limit in response to a second value of the power modesignal, generating a first transmitter power supply signal having afirst supply voltage in response to a first value of the power modesignal, and a second transmitter power supply signal having a secondsupply voltage in response to a second value of the power mode signal,generating a first receiver power supply signal having a first currentlimit in response to a first value of the power mode signal, and asecond receiver power supply signal having a second current limit inresponse to a second value of the power mode signal, and/or generating afirst receiver power supply signal having a first supply voltage inresponse to a first value of the power mode signal, and a secondreceiver power supply signal having a second supply voltage in responseto a second value of the power mode signal.

Step 452 can operate in accordance with at least one of, a wirelesslocal area network protocol, a pico area network protocol, a wirelesstelephony protocol, and a wireless data protocol.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-24. In step 460, a received signal is receivedusing an RF receiver. In step 462, an automatic gain control (AGC)signal is generated based on a strength of the received signal. In step464, the received signal is amplified based on the AGC signal. In step466, a power mode signal is generated based on the AGC signal. In step468, a transmit signal is generated using an RF transmitter. In step469, a power consumption parameter of at least one of, an RF receiverand an RF transmitter, is adjusted based on the power mode signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the power consumptionparameter includes a power supply voltage and/or a power supply current.Step 469 can include generating a first transmitter power supply signalhaving a first current limit in response to a first value of the powermode signal, and a second transmitter power supply signal having asecond current limit in response to a second value of the power modesignal, generating a first transmitter power supply signal having afirst supply voltage in response to a first value of the power modesignal, and a second transmitter power supply signal having a secondsupply voltage in response to a second value of the power mode signal,generating a first receiver power supply signal having a first currentlimit in response to a first value of the power mode signal, and asecond receiver power supply signal having a second current limit inresponse to a second value of the power mode signal, and/or generating afirst receiver power supply signal having a first supply voltage inresponse to a first value of the power mode signal, and a secondreceiver power supply signal having a second supply voltage in responseto a second value of the power mode signal.

Step 460 can operate in accordance with at least one of, a wirelesslocal area network protocol, a pico area network protocol, a wirelesstelephony protocol, and a wireless data protocol.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-25. In step 470, a plurality of receivedsignals are received. In step 472, a plurality of automatic gain control(AGC) signals are generated, wherein each of the plurality of automaticgain control (AGC) signals is based on a strength for a correspondingone of the plurality of received signals. In step 474, each of theplurality of received signals are amplified based on a corresponding oneof the plurality of AGC signals. In step 476, a power mode signal isgenerated based on the plurality of AGC signals. In step 478, a powerconsumption parameter of an IC is adjusted based on the power modesignal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 478 can include includesgenerating a plurality of power supply signals based on the power modesignal, generating at least one transmitter power supply signal inresponse to the power mode signal, generating an additional transmitterpower supply signal in response to the power mode signal, generating afirst transmitter power supply signal having a first current limit inresponse to a first value of the power mode signal, and a secondtransmitter power supply signal having a second current limit inresponse to a second value of the power mode signal, and/or generating afirst transmitter power supply signal having a first supply voltage inresponse to a first value of the power mode signal, and a secondtransmitter power supply signal having a second supply voltage inresponse to a second value of the power mode signal.

The power consumption parameter can include a power supply voltageand/or a power supply current. Step 476 can include comparing theplurality of AGC signals, determining a lowest gain AGC signal, from theplurality of AGC signals, that corresponds to a highest strength of thecorresponding one of the plurality of received signals, and generatingthe power mode signal based on the lowest gain AGC signal. Step 476 caninclude determining an AGC composite signal from the plurality of AGCsignals, generating the power mode signal based on the AGC compositesignal. The AGC composite signal can include one of, a mode of theplurality of AGC signals, a median of the plurality of AGC signals, anda mean of the plurality of AGC signals.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-26. In step 480 a plurality of received signalsare received. In step 482, a plurality of automatic gain control (AGC)signals are generated, wherein each of the plurality of automatic gaincontrol (AGC) signals is based on a strength for a corresponding one ofthe plurality of received signals. In step 484, each of the plurality ofreceived signals are amplified based on a corresponding one of theplurality of AGC signals. In step 486, a transmit power control signalis generated based on the plurality of AGC signals. In step 488, aplurality of transmit signals are generated, each having a selectedpower level, wherein the selected power level of each of the pluralityof transmit signals is based on the transmit power control signal.

Step 486 can include comparing the plurality of AGC signals, determininga lowest gain AGC signal, from the plurality of AGC signals, thatcorresponds to a highest strength of the corresponding one of theplurality of received signals, and generating the transmit power controlsignal based on the lowest gain AGC signal. Step 486 can includecomparing the lowest gain AGC signal to a plurality of thresholds. Step486 can include determining an AGC composite signal from the pluralityof AGC signals, generating the transmit power control signal based onthe AGC composite signal. The AGC composite signal can include one of, amode of the plurality of AGC signals, a median of the plurality of AGCsignals, and a mean of the plurality of AGC signals.

Step 486 can include comparing the composite AGC signal to a pluralityof thresholds. The transmit power control signal can controls theselected power level of each of the plurality of transmit signals to acommon value. The transmit power control signal can include a pluralityof individual transmit power control signals that control the selectedpower level of each of the plurality of transmit signals to independentvalues.

Step 486 can include filtering each of the plurality of AGC signals togenerate a corresponding plurality of filtered AGC signals, and themethod can further include adjusting the transmit power control based onthe plurality of filtered AGC signals.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A circuit comprising: an RF receiver that receives a received signalfrom an external device, the RF receiver including a low noise amplifierthat amplifies the received signal based on an AGC signal; a processingmodule, coupled to RF receiver, that generates a power mode signal basedon the AGC signal, the power mode signal for adjusting a powerconsumption parameter of the circuit based on the power mode signal; anda power management circuit, coupled to the processing module, thatadjusts a power consumption parameter of the circuit based on the powermode signal.
 2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the power consumptionparameter of the circuit includes a power consumption parameter of theRF receiver.
 3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the power managementcircuit generates a plurality of power supply signals including areceiver supply signal, and wherein the power consumption parameter is aparameter of the receiver supply signal.
 4. The circuit of claim 1wherein the power consumption parameter includes a power supply voltage.5. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the power consumption parameterincludes a power supply current.
 6. The circuit of claim 1 furthercomprising: an RF transmitter, coupled to the processing module, thatgenerates a transmit signal, the RF transmitter having a plurality ofoperating power ranges and that operates in a selected one of theplurality of operating ranges based on the power mode signal and thatoperates from at least one transmitter power supply signal generated bya power management circuit in response to the power mode signal.
 7. Thecircuit of claim 1 wherein the processing module generates the powermode signal by comparing the AGC signal to a plurality of thresholds. 8.The circuit of claim 1 wherein the processing module filters the AGCsignal to generate a filtered AGC signal and adjusts the power modesignal in response to the filtered AGC signal.
 9. A method comprising:receiving a received signal from an external device; generating anautomatic gain control (AGC) signal based on a strength of the receivedsignal; amplifying the received signal based on the AGC signal;generating a power mode signal, based on the AGC signal; and generatinga transmit signal in a selected one of a plurality of operating rangesbased on the power mode signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: adjusting a power consumption parameter of an IC, based onthe power mode signal.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein adjusting thepower consumption parameter of an IC includes generating a plurality ofpower supply signals based on the power mode signal.
 12. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the power consumption parameter includes a power supplyvoltage.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the power consumptionparameter includes a power supply current.
 14. The method of claim 9wherein generating the power mode includes comparing the AGC signal to aplurality of thresholds.
 15. The method of claim 9 wherein generatingthe power mode includes filtering the AGC signal to generate a filteredAGC signal and adjusts the power mode signal in response to the filteredAGC signal.